It all began with a tree. One homeowner wanted it cut down and the other didn’t. The problem is that the tree is situated on their shared backyard property boundary. In the City of Toronto, the private tree by-law regulates the removal of trees over 30 cm in trunk diameter […]
Yearly archives: 2013

You may remember a few months ago we brought you the story of Mr. & Mrs. Sharper and their fight to save their 50 year old co-owned maple tree. Their campaign to raise money to help with the legal costs of fighting the appeal of the decision in their favour […]
The Scharpers’ Tree Battle Continues

Some 60 OUFC members and friends were on hand to toast our 50th anniversary at the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Toronto last Thursday evening. Tree themed decorations (thank you Barb Yaroski) decked the hall, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres were served and the wine flowed. The Kohen Hammond Quartet […]
50th Anniversary Wrap-up
From the City of Toronto website http://www.toronto.ca/parks/maple_leaf_forever.htm On July 19, 2013 a storm brought down an aged silver maple tree on Laing Street in Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood. This famed maple tree was believed to be the inspiration for the song “Maple Leaf Forever” by Alexander Muir, which he wrote in […]
The Maple Leaf Forever Tree Continues to Inspire Us….
A landmark court ruling protects shared trees from one co-owner unilaterally destroying them. Save this law from being repealed! Environment – Toronto, Ontario, Canada We, Hilary and Stephen Scharper, are professors at the University of Toronto who both love and value trees. In June 2012, our neighbor decided she wanted to get […]